Dino Prizmic Stuns Novak Djokovic at Italian Open 2026 — Biggest Win of His Career
Twenty-year-old Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic has pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 ATP season, defeating 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the second round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome on Friday, May 8, 2026. The result delivered a historic first — Djokovic's first-ever first-round defeat in Rome in 19 appearances.
Dino Prizmic Beats Djokovic — The Result at the Italian Open
Dino Prizmic earned the biggest win of his career at the Italian Open 2026 in Rome, upsetting a physically hampered Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 to reach the third round. After cruising through the first set, Djokovic struggled physically in the second set, bending down and placing his hands on his knees between points and slowly trudging to his chair at changeovers.
The match lasted two hours and 15 minutes. Prizmic, ranked 75 places below Djokovic, came in as a heavy underdog and came through qualifying just to reach the main draw. He now advances to face the winner of the Ugo Humbert vs. Vit Kopriva match in the third round.
How Prizmic Beat Djokovic — Key Moments in Rome
After Djokovic won the first set, Prizmic levelled by dominating the second. The 20-year-old carried that momentum into the decider, and at 2-2 in the third set found a backhand winner down the line that left Djokovic smiling in disbelief. Prizmic went on to break Djokovic's serve in that fifth game and held his nerve to serve out the match after two hours and 17 minutes.
Prizmic broke Djokovic on three occasions throughout the match and brought relentless aggression through a series of deafening winners and volleys down the line. His strong net record of 11 out of 14 points won at the net was crucial in breaking down his Serbian opponent and securing the upset.
Novak Djokovic at Rome 2026 — A Shocking First
It is the first time six-time Rome champion Djokovic has lost in his opening match at the Italian capital, finishing his record there at 18-1. The 38-year-old was competing for the first time since Indian Wells in March — when he lost in the fourth round to Jack Draper — and was far from his best, unable to move freely at times and unable to outlast the 20-year-old in the physical baseline exchanges down the home stretch.
Despite the loss, Djokovic was gracious at the net, greeting the victor with a warm smile. The sportsmanship was reciprocated by Prizmic, who wrote on the television camera: "Nole, it was a pleasure!!"
Who Is Dino Prizmic? — The 20-Year-Old From Split
Prizmic is a Croatian qualifier who impressed Djokovic in their only previous meeting at the Australian Open in 2024, when he was just 18 years old and won a set against the former world No. 1 before losing in four. On Friday in Rome, the roles reversed entirely — this time it was Djokovic who faded.
Prizmic's victory in Rome is his second career win over a top-10 player, following a maiden top-10 triumph over Ben Shelton in Madrid earlier in 2026. He now guarantees a career-high ranking with the result and becomes the first Croatian man to advance to the third round in Rome since Borna Coric in 2023.
Prizmic Reaction — What He Said After the Win
"For me, it is hard to say. I have big respect for Novak. He is my idol, so it was a great match for me today," Prizmic said after the victory. The 20-year-old kept his composure throughout the biggest moment of his career to date, serving out the match against a legend of the sport in front of a packed Campo Centrale crowd that had come hoping to see Djokovic at his best.
Italian Open 2026 — What Is at Stake for Djokovic and Roland Garros
Djokovic, seeded third in Rome, will now aim to capture a record-extending 25th major title at Roland Garros, which begins in approximately three weeks. His early exit in Rome means he heads into the French Open with limited clay court preparation, having now lost in the opening rounds at both Indian Wells and Rome in his 2026 clay season.
ATP Rome 2026 — Friday's Other Results
Based on live data from the tournament, other completed matches on Friday at the Italian Open include Ugo Humbert defeating Vit Kopriva 6-3, 6-2 in straight sets to advance to the third round, where he will face Prizmic. On the WTA side, Elena Rybakina defeated Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-1, and Elisabetta Cocciaretto stunned Emma Navarro 6-3, 6-3 to advance in the women's draw.
